ROADBLOCKS RESUME AS DRUG ARRESTS CLIMB

Local law enforcement officers are conducting a new series of random
roadblocks as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal narcotics trafficking
in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

The crackdown, which began in mid-February, has resulted in nearly 200
arrests of suspects in various drug-related crimes by officers with the
Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department, the Starkville Police Department,
the Tri-County Narcotics Task Force, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics,
the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

The roadblocks, conducted on various streets, highways and roads throughout
the city and county, have been an effective tool in making drug arrests,
said Sheriff Dolph Bryan.

In roadblocks conducted over the last week, sheriff's deputies, police
officers and state troopers have arrested multiple suspects on drug
possession charges.

A week ago today, sheriff's deputies arrested three suspects caught with
multiple bags of marijuana and paraphermalia in their car.

During a Monday night roadblock, state troopers arrested three suspects
after finding more than a half-pound of marijuana in their car.

"We're starting to hit the roadblocks hard again. Drivers need to make sure
they have valid licenses, good car tags, good inspection stickers and proof
of insurance," Bryan said.

"People who have all of those and are not doing anything obviously illegal
in their cars have nothing to worry about. In fact, most people have been
very understanding about why we're doing these roadblocks.

"I had one man tell me he had worn out his driver's license from taking it
out of his wallet so much, but he was glad we were doing what we're doing,"
Bryan added.

Suspects arrested by local law enforcement agencies in the drug crackdown
since May 8 include the following:

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

* -- on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

* -- on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

* -- on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

* -- on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of methamphetamine precursors.

* -- on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana.

* -- on a charge of possession of marijuana.

* A juvenile on a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

* -- on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

* -- on a charge of possession of cocaine.

* -- on charges of conspiracy to sell marijuana and sale of marijuana.

* -- on charges of conspiracy to sell marijuana and sale of marijuana.

* -- on charges of conspiracy to sell marijuana and sale of marijuana.

* -- on charges of conspiracy to sell marijuana and sale of marijuana.

Anyone with information on illegal drug activity in city and county is
encouraged to call any of the following law enforcement agencies:

* The Starkville Police Department at 323-4134.

* The Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department at 323-2421.

* The Tri-County Narcotics Task Force at 324-8484.

* The Mississippi Department of Corrections at 323-6250.

* The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics at 323-3082.

* The Mississippi Highway Patrol at 323-5314.

* Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-531-7151.

Editor's note: Complete address and age information on the above suspects
was not available at press time. The Daily News apologizes for any
confusion this may cause with residents who have similar names.